Is it legal to do fundraisers through fundraiser companies to help provide funds for home school materials or field trips? We have several fund raiser ideas from our years as youth leaders but do not know if it is appropriate for families to use.

We have four children and this would help the cost of schooling emmensely but do not know if it is okay, or if any paperwork needs filed for taxes and such.

I know it is fine for youthgroups and public schools, but home school???

I would guess you'd need to set up a nonprofit organization if you want donations to be tax-deductible (and calling random people to be allowed), and the money couldn't all just go to you - it would have to help other families as well. My advice is to check with your regional / state homeschool groups and see if any of them have charities set up, or would be interested in setting one up._________________Homeschool Articles - Events - Support Groups

One of the biggest complaints many of us have about the public school and other groups is that they are always doing fundraisers. Why not take this as an opportunity to teach your children lessons in economics and count it as school hours? Many families have started very small businesses with their children to supplement income and help with homeschool expenses. Sometimes that is all the businesses do - but sometimes they grow and end up providing lifelong supplemental income or even a living for one or more families.

Don't know where you live, and whether rural or urban, but the possibilities are endless - and they all teach your children responsibility and the true value of money. Now, with that said, there is nothing wrong with them selling something for it's true market value; the problem arises when they go door to door hawking goods at way over market value - that is what I think of when I think "fundraising" and IMHO it teaches them to expect something for nothing, or at least very little effort in return._________________The Homesteading Realtor in West Central MO

last year i bought cookie dough from a family who was selling it - i think they were attatched to a school (in the next county, so no competition) somehow, but they got the $ for what they sold...may be call the fundraiser folks you are thinking of using and findout what you could do.

I think this is a cool idea. My husband and I have talked about doing something similar to help raise money for our school for educational activities...I'm going to look into it more and keep an eye on this thread. If anybody else has ideas, I'm all ears.

One of my professors at MidWestern Seminary, along with his wife had 6 children and they homeschooled. The daughter made good cinamon rolls and she took oders for them and sold them to raise money to contribute to her educational expenses. Most state laws allow you to sell baked goods without a special permit. The cookie dough has to come from a company and, while it is very good, I still feel it is overpriced. I am just very partial to fundraising that is "working to earn the money". It is not a black and white issue, but I still think we really need to think about the values we are instilling in the children._________________The Homesteading Realtor in West Central MO

Good thread! We have wondered about this very same thing. The fundraising here for PS is ridiculous...so over priced and almost constant. My son is always making up recipes for cakes and cookies and things like that and asked me how he could sell them for school so we could go on some "cool field trips". It was kind of cute...but it got me thinking about homeschooling and fundraising. I will definitely keep my eye on this thread!

Amy_________________Peace:
It does not meant to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.
It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.